Use it, don't lose it

Today, 28 January 2009, is the third European Data Protection Day– how apt that it should follow yesterday’s report of colossal data theft from the online job site Monster.co.uk. What better time for the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to remind businesses of the importance of data protection:  today it launches the Personal Information Promise- a list of key commitments that organisations can sign up to, to demonstrate their commitment to data protection.

Major data losses in both the public and private sectors have demonstrated the need for increased awareness and action in this area. The capabilities of the technology industry, alongside the appropriate process and behavioural changes, are vital tools in the effort to protect data and improve information security. In a climate of decreasing consumer confidence, people need to feel – and know – that their data is safe, and not simply because if lost, it might fall into the wrong hands with ill-fated consequences. Increasingly, poor data governance is likely to reflect on organisations’ overall ability to run effectively.

Data Protection Day will hopefully serve as a wake-up call to all organisations; but while cost-cutting is high on the corporate agenda, business leaders would do well to remember that information security is a long-term commitment that requires a long-term strategy. With the right approach, technology can turn data protection from problematic red tape, into a powerful tool for increasing business efficiency. And without it, data security breaches could prove increasingly costly.

Intellect is looking at these issues in a number of forums, including its Security and Privacy group, Information Sharing group, Data Breach Notification working group, and the Document Management group's papers 'Safeguarding information, reputation and corporate productivity - a guide for information governance' and 'Addressing information risk and compliance'. Intellect will also be looking at these issues during the upcoming Data and ID Management Conference, in Autumn 2009.

By Scarlett Graham, Programme Executive.